Unilever 2000 Annual Report Download - page 17

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15
Unilever Annual Report & Accounts and Form 20-F 2000 Report of the Directors
Operating review by category
Foods
In 2000, we began the transformation of our Foods business
in line with the Path to Growth strategy.
The acquisition of Bestfoods brought us leadership in the
culinary category, a strong position in the expanding
foodservice sector and outstanding talent. It followed several
other complementary acquisitions: Slim•Fast, the US market
leader in weight management products; Ben & Jerry’s, which
gave us a strong foothold in premium ice cream, and Amora
Maille, which brought us strong culinary brands and
geographic expansion in Southern Europe.
We also announced key disposals. These included the sale
of such brands as Royco, Batchelors and Oxo as part of
regulatory requirements for the Bestfoods acquisition, and
the sale of the Bestfoods Baking Company and our bakery
business in Europe, due to the brand focus programme.
The portfolio development driven by acquisitions and
disposals, along with the new global structure, place the
Foods division in a good position to meet its Path to
Growth targets.
Health and wellness Functional foods – that is, foods and
beverages w ith scientifically-based nutritional or health
benefits – are an important growth area for Unilever. Within
two years, these products have achieved high double digit
growth and sales of more than 1 billion, on a year-on-year
comparison. Results are incorporated in the figures below .
A dedicated Unilever team focuses on maximising
opportunities for these foods across all brands and
categories. Research and development and marketing
concentrate on a few areas selected on the basis of
comprehensive consumer research and Unilever expertise.
Following our acquisition of Slim•Fast, we have started to
roll out the brand and product range beyond the US. Flora
and Becel cholesterol-lowering products have now been
introduced in 16 countries and have gained strong
consumer acceptance.
Annapurna, our nutritionally-enhanced staples range, is now
being extended in to Africa, following its success in India.
The Bestfoods acquisition further expanded our portfolio
for developing markets, bringing us AdeS soydrinks and
Maizena corn products.
Food safety Restoring public confidence in food safety
remains an important issue on which we w ill continue
to express our views, openly and constructively.
We welcome the establishment of the European Food
Authority but believe its anticipated advisory remit is too
limited. We remain convinced that the authority must have
executive powers if it is to meet future challenges effectively
and respond decisively.
An executive authority w ill also be in the best position
to deal with issues arising from developments in food
technology, such as the emergence of new functional foods.
If European food producers are to remain competitive, the
existing novel foods regulatory system must be improved.
It is clearly in the interests of ourselves and our customers
that there is confidence in food safety. To this end, a
transparent and effective regulatory system should be in place.